UCSC Center for Entrepreneurship

The Center for Entrepreneurship (C4E) comprises a series of multidisciplinary academic and applied programs that work together in new, transformative ways, modeling itself on the principles behind that of a teaching hospital: students learn theory in the classroom and then apply their individual skills in a collaborative environment on a common target. Here, the “operating room” is a simulation startup company, and their combined goal is to develop business models that bring an innovation to market. In this case, one specifically set up to commercialize intellectual property developed within UCSC.

To optimize students’ learning experiences, they work with their professors and researchers in collaboration with students from other programs and departments and also with experienced industry veterans for the given technology or market appropriate for the business model being designed. Students learn theoretical methodologies much better, while also spinning out companies more successfully and at a higher valuation, yielding more revenue for the school.